Arrangement for storing individual television pictures



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United States Patent 12 Claims. 61. 178-6.6)

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 178,998,filed on Mar. 12, 1962, and now abandoned.

The invention disclosed herein is concerned with the storing ofindividual television pictures, especially X ray pictures, upon endlesstracks of a magnetic record carrier.

The operation of previously known arrangements of this kind has beenunsatisfactory until now. For example, the time 1 s.) required for theexposure, up to the reproduction of the stored information upon theviewing a-pparatus, is too long. Another disadvantage of the knownanrangement resides in the fact that the individual operations which arerequired for a recording are not executed fully automatically. Theerasing of a recorded information, the switching over of the magneticheads from reproduction to recording, must be executed individually byhand.

The object of the invention is to produce a central control adapted todeliver with small expenditure -accu rately defined switching impulseswhich are correctly phased with respect to the field or verticalsynchronizing pulses of the television signal. These switching impulsesare directly utilized for the control of television circuits, erasergenerators, relays, etc. The time required for the exposure up to thereproduction of the stored information amounts, in the case of anarrangement according to the present invention, for example, to 100milliseconds.

The invention contemplates the provision of at least one counting chainwhich is controlled by the field synchronizing pulses, such countingchain being stepped along in timed relation with the field frequency,and means for decoupling from the members of the counting chain isolatedimpulses Which are rigidly in phase with the field sync pulses of thecomposite television signal. These decoupled impulses are conducted, forexample, to bistable mnltivibrators, and control impulses ofcorresponding length and phase position are produced which are utilizedfor the scanning and exposure of the recording tube, as well as for theerasing and for the switching over of the recording and reproducingcircuits, etc.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the counting chain or chainsare respectively provided with at least five and preferably with tenmembers. It was more-over found to be of particular advantage to recorda respective field, wherein two interlaced fields comprise a frame, uponeach track of the record carrier. In a preferred embodiment of theinvention, there are provided two counting chains, each with tenmembers, and such chains are circuited so that three modes of operationcan be realized, namely, exposure or recording and reproduction of afield,

a frame and a S-picture sequence per second. The switching over ofthereproduction channels is in the case of reproducing a frame effected.by field sync pulses which are obtained from the reproduced signal. Thegating impulses which control the recordingand reproduce channels are,in accordance with a further feature of the invention, so delaved thatthe switching over at the recording and also at the reproduction iseffected at the same time with the back porch of the composite videosignal occurring during the retrace portion. This measure avoids adouble phase leap of the line impulses.

The foregoing and further objects, features and details of the inventionwill appear from the description which will be rendered below withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 represents a timing scheme of the signals in the circuit ofFIGURE 1.

In FIG. 1, the letter K indicates a television camera. The signal fromthe camera K is conducted to the central impulse circuit Z and extendedtherefrom as a so-called composite television signal to the input B. Thefield sync pulses from this signal are conducted to the amplitude filteror sync separation A and from the latter are conducted to two countingchains Z and Z which are respectively assigned each to a track of themagnetic storer. The two trecording devices of the magnetic storer areindicated at S, and S The storer comprises, for example, a plate-shapedrotatable magnetic sound carrier with two concentric recording tracks toeach of which is assigned an erase head as indicated at L; and L as wellas a combined recordingand reproduce head indicated respectively at AWand AW The switching over from recording to reproducing is effected bymeans of the relays R and R The counting chains Z and Z comprise, forexample, ten members which are stepped along in time with the fieldfrequency. The field sync pulses can be uncoupled and isolated at thefirst five members indicated by arrows. These field sync pulses areconducted, for example, to bistable multivibrators so as to obtain inthis manner positive or negative impulses of defined length and phaseposition.

The operation of the counting chains Z and Z is started by actuation ofthe start key ST.

The signal can be extended to the receiver viewer S directly, over theswitch U in its illustrated position, or from the storer over suchswitch in its alternate operated position. The picture signal is alsoextended from the input B to the modulator M in which it is in knownmanner converted into a frequency modulated signal which is conductedover the amplifiers VA; and VA to the magnetic heads AW and AW Theamplifiers VA and VA are provided with impulse gates TA and TA which arecontrolled from the third and fourth members of the counting chain Z;and Z respectively. There are also provided gate impulse circuits TB andTB which connect the erase generator L with the re- Spective erase headsL and L prior to effecting-a new recording.

The signal is for the reproduction scanned by the heads AW and AWrespectively, and is conducted to the reproduce amplifiers VC; and VC Tothese amplifiers is likewise assigned a gate circuit TC which iscontrolled depending upon the mode of operation. The signal obtainedfrom the storers and amplified in the amplifiers VC; and VC isdemodulated in the demodulator D and is conducted therefrom to theswitch U and the output terminal C to theviewer S Three different modesof operation may be obtained with the aid of the switches U U U and UWhen these switches are set on the contacts a (as shown), five fieldswill be alternately reproduced per second. One or the other track isthereby respectively scanned and the information stored for the durationof /s-second. In the position b of the switches U U is effected thereproduction of the individual fields. In the position 0 is effectedreproduction of a frame, that is, 25 full pictures per second.

The control is here effected with the aid of the gate circuit TC byfield synchronizing impulses which are obtained from the compositetelevision signal which is being scanned by the storer.

The operation will be explained with reference to the timing schemerepresented in FIG. 2. In line 1 are indicated the field sync pulses(spacing 20 milliseconds) which are obtained from the compositetelevision signal from the amplitude filter A. The impulse released bythe actuation of the start key ST, which is not rigidly in phase, firesa counting tube disposed ahead of the chain Z and prepares the firststage of the chains, so that the next arriving field sync pulse effectsthe stepping of the counting chain Z and ten field sync pulses arecounted off.

As already noted, a counting chain is assigned to each track. Two ormore counting chains may be connected together as desired. In theillustrated example, there are provided two tracks with two countingchains Z Z which are circuited so as to obtain three modes of operation,namely, five frames per second, an individual field, and an individualframe. FIG. 2 shows the impulse program for the exposure. The followingexplanations shall be limited to operations applying to the track I, theoperations with respect to the track II and further tracks beingidentical.

The first impulse of the counting chain Z causes release of the startimpulse (line 5) for the illumination (exposure) of the televisioncamera, for example, an X-ray exposure. As is apparent from line 6 ofthe timing scheme, the exposure is effected after a given switchingdelay. The beam in the camera is at the same time interrupted by thescanning pulse (line 9) and the information is stored on the Vidiconplate. The exposure length can be varied; the scanning-out time of theVidicon can be adjusted as desired. In the example under consideration,the scanningout impulse has a duration of 40 milliseconds. During thistime .is effected the erasure of the previous information on therecording track. The erasure impulse has a duration of 40 milliseconds(line 7) which corresponds to two revolutions of the recording track.The relay switching impulse (line 10) causes thereproduce-exposure-relay to switch to the exposure position.

The switching time is represented in line 12. The gate impulse (line 14)opens the exposure amplifier for exactly 20 milliseconds, and a field isrecorded.

The impulse program for the reproduction is represented in lines 16 to21. In the event that only one field (operating condition b) is to bereproduced, the reproduce amplifier will be opened responsive to the 5thimpulse (line 16).

In case of the mode of operation a, 5 frames per second, the countingchains Z and Z are connected in series, and 20 impulses are alwayscounted off. The last impulse of the second counting chain is thereuponextended to the input of the first counting chain, and the operation isthus periodically repeated. The gate impulses, lines 17 and 18, effectswitching over of the reproduce amplifier, with the 5th impulse, in arhythm of 200 milliseconds.

In case of the frame reproduction, mode of operation 0, the alternatescanning of the reproduce amplifiers VC; and VC is effected by thevertical impulses represented in line 19, which are delivered by thestorer.

Changes may be made within the scope and spirit of the appended claimswhich define what is believed to be new and desired to have protected byLetters Patent.

' What we claim is:

1. An arrangement for storing individual television pictures such asX-ray pictures, comprising camera means, means operatively connected tosaid camera means for converting the camera output signals into spacedfield synchronizing impulses, storage means, means operativelyconducting said camera output signals to said storage means, at leastone counting chain controlled by said field impulses and stepped alongin timing with the field impulse frequency, and means for decouplingfrom the members of said counting chain isolated impulses, which arerigid in phase with respect to the field impulses, said isolatedimpulses constituting control pulses for the control of operationalfunctions of said arrangement and being connected to said conductingmeans.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, comprising an auxiliary countingmember disposed ahead of said counting chain, said auxiliary countingmember being operatively responsive to a start impulse of desired phaseposition and being effective to prepare the counting chain for startingthe counting operation responsive to the next following field impulse.

3. An arrangement according to claim 2, comprising bistablemultivibrator means, controlled by said isolated counting impulses, forproducing control impulses the width of which is equal to at least thelength of the frame period of the television camera output signal andthe flanks of which lie rigidly in time to the field impulses.

4. An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said camera meansincludes a pickup tube and the impulses obtained from said countingchain are utilized, first, for the control of the scanning andillumination of the pickup tube, second, for controlling the erasing ofinformation contained in the storer and, third, for switching themagnetic head from recording to reproducing at the proper instant andfor the respectively required duration.

5. An arrangement according to claim 4, comprising an exposure amplifieroperatively connected to said pickup tube for controlling the exposurethereof, said storage means including a rotatable storer, and anelectronic gate circuit for opening the exposure amplifier, with the aidof a control impulse with the length corresponding to a frame period, atthe proper instant and for the duration of exactly one revolution of thestorer.

6. An arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said counting chaincomprises at least five members.

7. An arrangement according to claim 5, comprising two counting chainseach having at least five members.

8. An arrangement according to claim 5, for recording two televisionfields upon two separate magnetic tracks of said storer, comprising foreach of such tracks a separate counting chain cooperating withappropriate electronic control devices.

9. An arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the operation of thecounting chain of the second track is released by the second impulse ofthe first counting chain, thereby producing a displacement by one fieldperiod and therewith recording of two successive fields of televisioncamera output signal.

10. An arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the input of onecounting chain is connected with the output of the other counting chain,thereby effecting a cyclic course of the operations assigned to eachtrack, the period of said cyclic operations being determined by thenumber of members of said counting chains.

-11. An arrangement according to claim 8, for the reproduction of a fullframe, wherein the field impulses obtained from the reproducedtelevision signal are connected to and utilized for the alternateopening of the reproduction amplifier cooperating with the respectivetracks, thereby producing a composite television signal containing bothfields.

12. An arrangement according to claim 11, including means for delayingthe pulses for gating the recording and reproducing amplifiers so thatthe switching over is effected upon the trailing back porch of thetelevision camera output signal and that the switching times for therecording and the reproduction coincide.

No references cited.

JOHN W. CALDWELL, Primary Examiner.

DAVID G. REDINBAUGH, Examiner.

H. W. BRITTON, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN ARRANGEMENT FOR STORING INDIVIDUAL TELEVISION PICTURES SUCH ASX-RAY PICTURES, COMPRISING CAMERA MEANS, MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TOSAID CAMERA MEANS FOR CONVERTING THE CAMERA OUTPUT SIGNALS INTO SPACEDFIELD SYNCHRONIZING IMPULSES, STORAGE MEANS, MEANS OPERATIVELYCONDUCTING SAID CAMERA OUTPUT SIGNALS TO SAID STORAGE MEANS, AT LEASTONE COUNTING CHAIN CONTROLLED BY SAID FIELD IMPULSES AND STEPPED ALONGIN TIMING WITH THE FIELD IMPULSE FREQUENCY, AND MEANS FOR DECOUPLINGFROM THE MEMBERS OF SAID COUNTING CHAIN ISOLATED IMPULSES, WHICH ARERIGID IN PHASE WITH RESPECT TO THE FIELD IMPULSES, SAID ISOLATEDIMPULSED CONSTITUTING CONTROL PULSES FOR THE CONTROL OF OPERATIONALFUNCTIONS OF SAID ARRANGEMENT AND BEING CONNECTED TO SAID CONDUCTINGMEANS.